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Description:
European pressing of Clarkson's 2005 Sophomore album contains 12 tracks including 'Since U Been Gone', 'Behind These Hazel Eyes', 'Because Of You' and the live track 'Beautiful Disaster'. Sony/BMG.
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448 of 491 found the following review helpful:
Awfully hard to top this oneDec 12, 2004
By Marcus T. Brody I'll admit, my first impression of this album upon listening the first time around wasn't that good. I'll tell you why... I saw too many Avril Lavigne similarities. Especially the "woah... oh oh" sounds Avril has made popular. However, I did not let that deter me from listening to the album with an open mind.
Upon listening to the album 3 or 4 times, I concluded that this is one of the better rock/pop albums I've ever heard; especially by a solo female artist. On Kelly's debut album, she didn't use her voice like she should have. But on this new album, all I can say is, "Wow!". Hands down, Kelly Clarkson has the best singing voice in the music industry today, and hearing her hit some of the notes she hits on this album send chills up and down my body.
There are about 5 or 6 songs on this album that will likely receive radio play, as top singles. "Behind These Hazel Eyes" is Kelly's best song to date, in my opinion. "Because of You" is another fantasic song, as well as "Addicted", and "Hear Me". Let's not forget the smash hit "Breakaway".
With this album, Kelly sort of detached herself from the American Idol label that she's been sporting for the last few years. This is far beyond and cheesy bubble gum pop. This is legit, and Kelly is going to make a huge splash in this industry for years to come.
261 of 302 found the following review helpful:
Now That's What I Call Idol!Dec 15, 2004
By Amanda Richards This is the best album to come out of the American Idol show in recent history. Conspicuously short of filler material, every song sounds like airplay material. "Breakaway" launches the album with a mighty kick and it never stops going from there, the grand finale "Beautiful Disaster" being anything but a disaster.
It's not hard to detect a little influence of Avril Lavigne on "Since U Been Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes", and there's also a bit of Amy Lee, especially on "Addicted" and "Hear me" thrown in, but this impressive follow-up pushes Clarkson into the running for the best female pop album of the year.
Highly recommended for pop/rock fans.
Amanda Richards, December 14, 2004
18 of 18 found the following review helpful:
An Admirable Move ForwardDec 04, 2004
By Chris S.
"cscotts"
Veering away somewhat from the more pop-centric slickness of the still admirable THANKFUL, Kelly Clarkson returns seemingly ready to replace Avril Lavigne as pop's new "angst" girl with the appropriately titled BREAKAWAY. While the title track is a lovely and fairly understated vocal affair, it's not the indicative setup for the rest of the disc, which addresses the current state of pop as defined by the likes of Lavigne and lesser talents like Hilary Duff and lip-syncher du jour Ashlee Simpson. That said, Clarkson fairs significantly better than others who've gone this route(take note Ashlee), thanks in part because she comes off far more convincing than the others, not to mention the fact that she's light years ahead of the rest vocally. New single "Since U Been Gone" is a far better indicator of the project--somewhat new wave, but with a strong yet subtle rock undercurrent. That rock "undercurrent" is in fact present throughout much of the disc, highlighted by "Behind Those Hazel Eyes", "Gone", and "Walk Away". And while there's probably no chance in hell she could get away with releasing an album without a few ballads, the slower tunes, while polished, don't cater to the slick, overproduced sound that alot of adult contemporary records cling to("Where Is Your Heart" actually sounds not unlike Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful"). Overall, BREAKAWAY stands not only as a more consistently flowing record, but one that should advance Clarkson to the forefront of pop's top ranks.
15 of 15 found the following review helpful:
Kelly's "Breakaway" From "Thankful"Dec 02, 2004
By Stephanie
"Stephanie"
I never purchased "Thankful", Kelly's first album, because I had heard the album over at a friend's house and it didn't sound that fantastic. I was wondering whatever happened to the girl recently when I heard her first single, "Breakaway", on the radio. This song never really got to me. It was nice to hear a couple times but that's all. It wasn't worth buying.
Finally she released a song worth hearing over and over. I heard it on the radio and thought it might be a new pop singer but when the radio announcer said that it was Kelly's new single, "Since U Been Gone", I decided I'd check it out. So the day the cd came out I came to amazon and read the reviews and saw that it was all good so I went to the story and picked up a copy of my own. Now that I have it I just thought I'd give you guys a review of my own, so you can make an informed decision. It always helps to listen to the clips too, since everyone's taste in music is different.
1) Breakaway - This is a nice way to open the album. It has a pretty guitar playing and a catchy bridge. It's really not anything special in my opinion though. 2.5/5
2) Since U Been Gone - Kelly's second single from her second album really lays out the rest of this album. If you haven't noticed already, Kelly's new album is not full of all the "thankful" songs. It's much more of regret, moving on, and sorrow. This single is great, it's a song you can dance to in the car with your girlfriends. 4.5/5
3) Behind These Hazel Eyes - This song has great lyrics, but only to a certain extent. I'm not saying that the lyrics are the deepest you will ever hear but they are very nice. The song is done well and Kelly's vocals are displayed in the bridge nicely. 5/5
4) Because of You - The first lovely ballad on this album. If it wasn't for Kelly's voice this song would've been cheesy and boring, but Kel definitly nails and makes it a powerful song. 4/5
5) Gone - This is probably the most pop song on the CD. It's not my favorite but some of the lyrics are good. I usually skip this one in the car, but occasionally I'll listen. I think once I get used to it, it will be awesome. 4/5
6) Addicted - This seems to be everyone's favorite. I can tell you that if you like Evanescence you're going to love this song. Kelly's vocals are amazing, she can get really dark. I haven't heard this side of her and it's a good one to hear. She needs to to do more songs like this. The bridge is the best part. 4.5/5
7) Where Is Your Heart - Good song, good ballad, good lyrics. Somewhat dull. 3/5
8) Walk Away - This song is so odd. It's like they are mixing country and pop/rock. I don't like it much, but it sounds like something it takes time to warm up to. It sounds like a mix of Shania Twain and Michelle Branch, which I think I should like since I like both of those artists but this song just doesn't really do anything for me. 2.5/5
9) You Found Me - This song is very catchy, but unfortunatly the lyrics are cliche and that immediatly turns me off it. It's still good to listen to though for the music and Kelly's voice. 3/5
10) I Hate Myself For Losing You - Another one that is a mix of Country/Pop/Rock. It's really not that fascinating but a lot better than Walk Away. 3.5/5
11) Hear Me - Ah, this song is awesome. This a great pop/rock song. It's a little similiar to the rest but it doesn't matter because Kelly's voice is completely in sync with the music and it makes a great song. The lyrics are nice as well. 5/5
12) Beautiful Disaster [Live] - I love hearing people who can sing live. Sarah McLachlan reinvents herself repeatedly by doing it live and I love every single song she belts out. Kelly seems to be doing the same for herself when she puts this song on the cd. I'm glad she did. Instead of hearing the added effects and light guitar as was put on the first cd, you hear a lovely piano and Kelly's gentle voice. She should put out a live compliation cd when she's finished touring with this album. 4/5
Overall Kelly has really made a great album with your $13, which is rare from a pop singer. It's refreshing to see a pop singer who can actually SING make an album, unlike the most recent Lindsay Lohan. Kelly deserves every penny she makes from her recording contract, because she not only works her ass off but she also has talent and can actually sing live. If your looking for a good pop/rock CD, put down your pre-ordered copy of Lindsay Lohan or Ashlee Simpson and buy this one.
40 of 47 found the following review helpful:
Impressive!Nov 30, 2004
By Coopie Doop I was shocked by the honesty of Kelly's writing on this album.
She really put herself out there on songs like Because Of You. I thought this would be another syrupy ballad, but my heart was ripped out when I listened to it. It had me at a stand still.
Kelly uses her voice in so many amazing ways on this album. Where Is Your Heart is another great example of Kelly's raw vocal talent.
It was pure joy hearing how she changed it up throughout.
And I must also comment on the background vocals, which were ALL done by Kelly. I find myself listening to them as much as the foreground vocals.
I didn't want to skip any of the songs while listening - yes, it was that good. I especially loved Behind These Hazel Eyes, Addicted, Because Of You and Hear Me.
If Kelly doesn't get nominated for another Grammy, I will be shocked.
This cd is 150 times better than Kelly's first album "Thankful".
Great work!
based on 1171 reviews
( 1171 customer reviews )
